BRSA 2026 SAFETY CONFERENCE

Here's more on what you can expect:

Lee Watson, Instructor for the Chesapeake Region Safety Council. He is a graduate of Liberty University and Virginia Tech's Center for Public Administration and Policy. Prior to Virginia Tech, Lee developed NASCAR's award-winning Track Services Training Program during his tenure. During a nine-month period in 2000-2001, four NASCAR drivers died in competition. This session shares numerous lessons learned and changes made over the ensuing years, and explores how those lessons can be applied throughout the safety and health community.

Nick Hulse, a partner in Fisher Phillip’s Charlotte Office. His practice focuses on representing employers in a variety of employment matters in state and federal courts, as well as matters prosecuted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Nick will provide a Virginia & Federal
OSHA update on enforcement and regulatory activities. He will share items VOSH has cited employers for in the last year that may not be on employers’ radar.

Bert Eades, Business Services Director with Genedge. For over 15 years, he served as a plant manager for companies such as Blue Ridge Fireboard, IKEA Industry, Elkay Manufacturing, Mohawk Industries, and Armstrong Flooring. Bert will be presenting on Leadership for World Class Safety. Manufacturing leaders who prioritize safety achieve more than compliance—they reduce recordable injuries, lower operating costs, improve workforce retention, and drive stronger overall business performance.

David Shofstahl, Dean Blue Ridge Community College Workforce Solutions. David will share about Safety Culture. The friction between an organization’s safety expectations and the physical reality of the job site creates a disconnect that drives up both injury rates and turnover. Using his own career-ending injuries as a baseline, this discussion targets the fallout of treating workers as expendable resources. Safety initiatives are actual investments, not just compliance checkboxes.